Neighborhood History Project Collection Events

Community meeting with people at tables

The City of Hendersonville’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is inviting individuals with connections to the West End, Peacock Town, Harris Street, Black Bottom, and Brooklyn neighborhoods to take part in an upcoming Neighborhood History Project Collection Event. These events are part of the ongoing Hendersonville Neighborhood History Project, which aims to preserve the personal stories, photographs, and historical documents that reflect the cultural heritage of these communities. 

Community members are encouraged to attend a collection event to record oral histories and bring materials for scanning with the assistance of an archivist. 

Neighborhood History Project Collection Events: 

  • Friday, June 27, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM 
    Star of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church – 201 N. Whitted Street 
  • Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 
    Henderson County Public Library – Kaplan Auditorium – 301 N. Washington Street 

These events will offer a welcoming space for individuals to share their personal experiences of living in the neighborhoods. Team members led by the Blue Ridge Community College Archives will guide participants through semi-structured interviews designed to capture oral histories. Additionally, participants are encouraged to bring items for scanning and archiving that relate to the neighborhoods being studied.

Collection Tips: 

  • Items should be tied directly to one of the neighborhoods, or a significant personal or community memory.
  • Items for scanning can be photos, documents, letters, maps, programs, or other memorabilia.
  • A maximum of 10–15 items per person can be scanned at the event. 
  • Bring a flash drive if you would like a digital copy of your scanned items. 
  • Individuals with more materials than can be accommodated at the events can schedule an appointment with the Blue Ridge Community College Archives. 

Those unable to attend the collection events can also contribute by filling out an online form at www.hendersonvillehpc.org/nhp 

Project Background 

The Neighborhood History Project builds on past efforts by the HPC to document Hendersonville’s historic communities, many of which received historic district designations, including West Side, Lenox Park, Hyman Heights, Druid Hills, Cold Spring Park, as well as the Main Street and 7th Avenue Depot districts and Oakdale Cemetery.  

Supported by a National Trust Preservation Fund Grant, the project is a partnership between the City of Hendersonville’s Historic Preservation Commission, a professional oral history consultant, and the Blue Ridge Community College Archives. The project focuses on researching neighborhood boundaries, collecting oral histories, digitizing photos and documents, and identifying historically significant sites for further research and possible historic designation.  

Visit www.hendersonvillehpc.org/nhp or call Planner Sam Hayes at 828.341.7081 to learn more. 

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